Editorial: La Vanguardia

• The number of illegal immigrants arriving on the Spanish coasts increased by 82% in 2023, with a 154% increase observed in the Canaries.
• The number of people trying to reach Spain by sea and dying in the attempt also increased, reaching a total of 6,618 in 2023.
• Most of the fatalities were trying to reach the Canary Islands, while a significant number also perished on routes from Morocco and Algeria.
• Irregular immigration poses a complex crisis that affects both origin and destination countries, challenging border management and asylum capacity.
• The tragedy of irregular immigration could be alleviated by prioritizing rescue efforts and emergency search systems.

Conclusion: Irregular immigration, already a serious problem, is worsening with an alarming increase in the fatality rate. Cooperative solutions are needed from not just Spain, but also the European Union and origin countries, to try and mitigate this crisis.

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